Laos asked to further review hydropower impacts

Vietnam hopes Laos will continue its research on the environmental impacts and perfect the design of Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi made the statement at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on November 8 when answering a question about Vietnam’s viewpoint on the construction of Xayaburi dam in Laos.

Nghi added that he wishes Laos will work with Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in conducting an overall, careful and comprehensive research on cumulative impacts on the environment, economics and society that all hydro-power plants expected to be built on the mainstream of Mekong River would have.

He added that Vietnam expressed its viewpoint of taking the general management and sustainable development of the river into consideration while building hydro-power works on the Mekong River at its discussions with Laos and International Mekong River Commission member countries.

The fair and reasonable exploitation and use of natural resources, especially Mekong River water source, is of significance, and it is important to ensure the sustainable development of the Mekong River basin for the common benefits of riverside countries and locals living in the area, said Nghi.-VNA